O'Neill Has High Hopes For Delph

Martin O'Neill has admitted that Fabian Delph was obviously down in the dumps after finding out he'd been out of action for 8 odd months, but he doesn't believe it will take him long to bounce back.

Speaking on the Official Site O'Neill said he had confidence in the player to bounce back because he has such 'a strong disposition' and in Monny's own words he doesn't believe that the former Leeds star will be 'very, very down' for much time at all.

'Naturally as a young lad who just thinks about nothing else but playing, it was a blow. I really was a blow. But he is being reassured about the injury and the things that can happen and now he is more philosophical.'

Monny also adds that Delph can learn a lot mentally during his lay off, as he references Curtis Davies' long lay off with a shoulder problem earlier in the season - one that he is only just getting back to fitness from.

'A bit like Curtis Davies. Curtis gets on with things and you just know anything you ask him to do he'll do it in an attempt to get fit and I think Fabian will be the same.'

There's no doubt it's definitely a blow for the player, but he is the right age to more than make a comeback and make his presence known when he does return to fitness.

I'd be very surprised if we don't see him make serious headroads into getting back to match fitness before the 8 months are up. Just doesn't seem the type be out for that long, regardless of what they injury is.

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